INTO THE STRATOSPHERE

EMPERORS PALACE READY TO RUN SALE

TBA Complex, South Africa

1 & 3 November 2013

When BSA’s sales-manager, Caroline Simpson, reported on the eve of our Emperors Palace Ready To Run gallops last week, that they had run out of catalogues already, we thought that their “bean-counters” might have short-changed them on the order numbers. That wasn’t the case though; other statistical sources tell us there’s another explanation: pandemonium.

By the 14th October, Summerhill had recorded a new mid-month record of more than 22,000 unique visitors to our blog, which tells us there is unprecedented interest in this year’s sale, and while demand for catalogues and web traffic alone don’t necessarily convert themselves into money, they certainly speak for heightened curiosity. Racing fans have voted with their feet, sending an unequivocal message to anyone who might doubt the popularity of a sale which has established itself indelibly in the minds of those who seek the Holy Grail.

Bloodstock South Africa’sTom Callaghan is monitoring traffic at their end as well, in the midst of dispensing new wisdom about the power of the web, and he’s equally thrilled at the response they’re getting. This Ready To Run Sale has a deep and enduring history in the production of racing superstars, many of which have made not only the Equus Awards podium, but have made themselves a name abroad as well. This weekend, at Ascot’s Champion’s Day showpiece, two horses whose first encounters with a saddle were at Summerhill, will be carrying the South African flag. Both Iguguand Soft Falling Rain received their first lessons at our Hartford division, the Highlands-bred colt going directly to his mentor’s yard from here, while Igugu passed through the Ready To Run sales ring on her way to a Triple Tiara and a Horse Of The Year title.

“She’s run a genuine race against lesser quality, but you can only bring them back by giving them confidence,” says Mike de Kock of Igugu this morning, ahead of her battle in the British Champion Fillies and Mares (Gr.1) later this afternoon. Of Soft Falling Rain, he said: “The QEII will be a massive step up and a really good test. He came out of Newmarket very well, it is hard to say whether he has improved or not, but he seems to be doing very well.”

There can’t be an honest soul out there who wouldn’t lay down their lives to own a horse of their calibre. Either way, if you hold any aspirations for the higher things in the sport, all it takes is a trip to Johannesburg over the weekend of the 1st to 3rd November. If history repeats itself, you might just find yourself in clover.